Pastor's Blog

Members of John & Arlene Meredith’s Sunday School class are helping feed the Taylor family following tomorrow’s funeral service. If you would like to help, please call the church office or contact Amy Huhn.  The church family is not “officially” feeding the family but this is an opportunity for those desiring to help because of John & Arlene.

Dee Dee Douglas really needs our prayers as both of her parents are in the hospital.  We have been praying for her dad as he battles cancer and now her mother is sick also.  Her dad is in ICU and her mother is in the same hospital.  Pray for them.

I visited with Merwyn Gunter late yesterday afternoon but he was sound asleep.  He seemed to be very restless in his sleep but did not awaken when I called his name.  He is in CCU.  Pray for him.

I will see Ted Ezell today.  He had quadruple by pass surgery yesterday afternoon.  Ted is one of the finest men I know.  He is so very faithful to the Lord through the church.  I also have to give tremendous credit to his sons – James, Thomas, & Steve Hughes as they have been so good to Ted since the passing of their mother.  Pray for Ted’s complete recovery.

Wow!  What a great turnout for our work night last night as the men took apart the five rooms on the west end of the first floor in the CAB.  They did it in about an hour’s time.  We had one man work on the electrical yesterday morning and eleven more show up last night.  I appreciate these men giving of themselves.  We are trying to move quickly on getting these rooms back to being “usable” so we can move to the four rooms on the east end.  Praise the Lord for folks who have a mind to work!

Bro. Chris and the student ministry will be preparing “gourmet” apples today.  If you haven’t purchased one, call the church office.  They are great!  I think they are $10 each with the proceeds going to help our students with their upcoming mission trip to Guatemala.  (I have a connection so, if you will call me, I can get you 2 for $25!)

Our first official night of GROW takes place tonight from 6:30 – 7:30PM.  Contact Bro. Jerry for more details.

Deidra tells me that we no longer have “white” pearls but still have brown, black, & pink.  Guys, think Valentine’s Day!  Remember, it is a “win/win” situation as you make a special someone happy while our IMB missionaries benefit financially!

I pray that you will have a great Tuesday with Jesus.

Sitting in the hospital waiting room and just heard from Ted’s surgeon.  The surgery went well.  They did four by-passes and the doctor seems satisfied with the outcome.  Ted remains on the vent and will be in ICU tonight and maybe tomorrow night too.

Merwyn Gunter is in CCU in the same hospital.  Obviously, he needs our prayers as well.

It is approaching 9:30AM as I type this entry so it is way late.  I apologize.  I simply decided to be a bit later with today’s entry.  No rhyme or reason.

Ted Ezell is having a heart cath today.  Merwyn Gunter has been in a local ER since 9:00PM last night and as of 8:30AM had still not seen a doctor.  Dee Dee Douglas’ mother is in a local hospital too.  She has had a couple of falls in recent days.  Pray for these folks.

The visitation with the family of John & Arlene’s friend, Sheila Taylor, will take place tomorrow night at Heritage Funeral Home in Escatawpa, MS from 6:00 – 9:00PM.  The service will take place Wednesday at 10:00AM.  Pray for the Taylor family.

Junior Bosarge gave me the number in attendance for last night’s service but I do not remember what it was.  However, I do know that we had a good attendance.  Thank you for being faithful!

Now is the time to sign up for our November GRACE trip.  The dates are Monday, 11/14, – Monday, 11/21/11.  We are asking members of the Friendship family to sign up by the end of February.  After that date, we will open the trip to folks outside the Friendship family and I can already tell you it will be a completely full trip.

Speaking of GRACE trips, Bro. Jerry has a few openings on his July trip.  Contact him for more information.

I could be wrong but I believe Pastor Jack Bailey is in that number of folks encouraging Gov. Bob Riley to run for President in 2012.  Wow!

I pray that you will have a great Monday with Jesus.

John & Arlene Meredith’s lifelong friend, Sheila Taylor, passed away last night.  John & Arlene were by her side as she passed from this life.  The visitation will be Tuesday night, 2/8, from 6:00 – 9:00PM at the Heritage Funeral Home on Highway 63 in Escatawpa, MS.  The funeral service will take place on Wednesday, 2/9, at 10:00AM from the chapel of the funeral home.  John & Arlene’s son-in-law, Anthony Langley, will preach the service and Arlene will bring a eulogy and message in song.  Pray for the Taylor family and friends.

Ted Ezell did not have a heart cath yesterday but is now scheduled for Monday.  Pray for him.  Otherwise, I think everything/everyone is about the same.

Bro. Chris and the older RA team are in Gadsden today & tomorrow playing in the state tourney.  Pray for their safety in travel and we wish them well in their games.

I wanted to remind you of the pearls for our 2011 LMCO.  Deidra has them and they are being sold for $65 per set with at least $40 going of that going to our LMCO.  Several folks wanted them as gifts for Valentine’s Day.  I know she has sold a good number of them so please contact her if you want to purchase some.

Lord willing, Lisa and I will arrive home late Saturday night and I will be in the pulpit all four times Sunday.  I hope to be joined by many members of the Friendship family.  I pray that you will have a great weekend with Jesus!

Ted Ezell will have a heart cath done today so please pray for him.  Herbert Benefield had his knee scoped yesterday and will eventually need knee replacement surgery.  Nancy West’s dad took a turn for the worse and then one for the better.  Pastor George Turnipseed passed away and his service will take place tomorrow at the Grand Bay UMC.  Pray for all of these needs.

The GRACE team in Guatemala is doing well.  You can follow them on the GRACE blog.

I pray that you will have a great Thursday with Jesus.

Obviously, this entry is coming from Guatemala where we are in the middle of our first GRACE Ministries trip for 2011.  I appreciate those who are ministering in my absence this week.  Today, Bro. Robbie Howard will be preaching in the 10:00AM & 7:00PM services.  I encourage the members of the Friendship team to be faithful in their attendance.

Keep praying for Nancy West’s dad, Mr. Al Savilla.  Also, pray for those who are battling cancer.

This Sunday is an important day in the life of the NFL.  Many churches opt to do something different on this day.  We are going to have a normal schedule.  This is just FYI.

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus.